DISABILITY FUNDING

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Disability. Can the minister explain to the house how the Rann government is providing employment opportunities for South Australians with a disability?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (14:36): I thank the member for Torrens for her question and her ongoing advocacy for South Australians with a disability. We have a Strategic Plan target to grow participation for people with disabilities, and we very proudly advocate across government to increase opportunities for—

Mr Pisoni: Have a look at DFEEST. Seven they've got.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Pisoni: Down from 80-odd.

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Unley!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: One of the best ways of achieving this is to encourage the growth of the Australian Disability Enterprises. These commercial businesses run by non-government disability support services provide work opportunities for more than 3,000 South Australians with a disability. They operate across a wide range of industries, covering printing, metal fabrication, packaging, recycling and landscaping.

Locally, South Australia is served by some outstanding services, including Bedford, Minda Incorporated, the Royal Society for the Blind, Phoenix and Orana. In 2009-10 the Department for Families and Communities purchased services amounting to approximately $500,000 across providers such as these.

In March 2011, a selective request for quotation was released, seeking a supplier to print and distribute Housing SA's Customer Chat newsletter. I am delighted that Post Haste, a division of Phoenix Society, was recommended to deliver these services for up to three years. Their success in winning work for people with a disability has continued. Last month Post Haste was also given the contract to print Disability Services' infoLink magazine.

I am pleased to advise that policies are in place mandating business units within DFC to approach appropriate Australian Disability Enterprises directly for goods and services valued below $11,000. The policy also requires business units to approach at least one Australian Disability Enterprise for goods and services valued between $11,000 and $110,000.

An intranet page has been set up to provide staff with detailed information on the services that these enterprises can provide. The success of these partnerships also includes the pairing of International Linen Services and Minda for the delivery of linen to Disability Services; the promotion of the Bedford Group's Balyana Conference Centre; and the employment of Adelaide Property and Gardens, a division of Bedford, to provide horticultural services for Housing SA through a public request for tender. It is also pleasing that some of the large kitchens operated by my department now buy RSPCA accredited eggs from Bedford's Compass Farm.

The ability of Australian Disability Enterprises to deliver benefits is not limited to the public sector. As you know, Madam Speaker, I recently had the pleasure of visiting Phoenix's Whyalla operations with you and, as well as sharing a great lunch with the employees, I saw firsthand some of the many exciting ventures they are involved with. At the time, their industrial embroidery machines were working around the clock preparing uniforms for a mining company. With about 45 Australian Disability Enterprises outlets in our state, I encourage members to visit their local Australian Disability Enterprise and get involved in promoting this great cause to other local businesses.